Louise O'Reilly

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this debate. We can all agree that the hallmark, and the calling card, of big tobacco and big tobacco companies is their deep pockets and their seemingly endless supply of marketing budgets. It is for that reason that I distrust a significant amount of what is termed as "evidence" that has been emailed to me this week in relation to vaping and vaping products,…

I thank the Minister sincerely for being here. I have often stood in the Chamber and given out about the fact the senior Minister is not here so I should, as a matter of course, record my thanks to the Minister for taking this Topical Issue. The issue relates to the need to increase Garda numbers in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West. The reason we need increased numbers is historically we wer…

That is very welcome. I have a wee suggestion, if the Minister does not mind. It comes from the petition that Ciara has circulated. As I said, it has been signed by more than 1,000 people. What they are seeking is a formal assessment by the Department of justice and An Garda Síochána of the policing needs of the Rush–Lusk area. The Minister will understand that while the number of gardaí working i…

I thank my colleague, an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, and the LGBT+ Restorative Justice Campaign for all of the work they have done on this. I will read a newspaper article. It is very brief. A 24-year-old Blackrock man was remanded on his own bail today on a charge of gross indecency. He was arrested by Garda John McCormack in Fairview Park on January 6 and charged with "committing an act of gross indec…

Energy poverty is on the agenda now. It is really welcome to see that other parties now recognise what Sinn Féin has been saying for a very long time but that is why I was really disappointed to see the Social Democrats and the Labour Party back the Government last night in locking in carbon tax increases right up to 2030. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and energy poverty crisis, the ver…

I join my colleague an Teachta Ó Snodaigh in paying tribute to our comrade and friend, Deputy Joanna Byrne, who stood up not just for the grassroots of football, as she does every single day of her life, but also stood up for Palestine and paid a heavy price for it. We thank her for her advocacy. I would not claim to be the biggest soccer fan. I would not dare to. I am here in my Bohs jersey in h…

And 17,000 are homeless.

How many more bouquets are you going to throw at yourself?

They really are.

He is finished in every sense of the word.

Half measures.

Time is up, Deputy Lowry.

You do not get to vote on that-----

Sit down.

3. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the way in which he intends to assist rural communities both households and local civil society organisations amidst rising oil prices and general trends indicating a rise in energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22887/26]

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

The 2 cent cut on home heating oil is an absolute slap in the face for people as it is. The fact that the Government is going to take it back off them in a couple of weeks makes it worse. It is going to give a very meagre amount with one hand and it will take it back in a couple of weeks knowing, as it does, that going into this latest crisis that 320,000 people are in arrears on their electricity…

I thank my colleague Deputy David Cullinane and for bringing forward this motion this evening which gives us the chance to have this very important discussion. I also thank him for the proposals he has consistently brought forward which would make a real and meaningful difference not just for patients but also for people working in our health services. As was rightly pointed out, the issues that …

This is my tenth time to speak on statements on International Women's Day. On International Women's Day, I generally pay tribute to women activists. I am really lucky that there are loads of them in my party, in my family and in my life. However, this afternoon I want to record the loss of an activist, a feminist, a trade unionist, a campaigner and my own mam, Mary O'Reilly, who died last Septembe…

There is legislation.

I start by thanking Deputy Doherty for tabling this motion and for tabling legislation which I think the Tánaiste was unaware of but, happily, he is up to speed with now.

This afternoon legislation was tabled and this evening we will debate a motion and there will be a voice vote later.

That is how it is going to work. I will very clearly thank Deputy Doherty because he recognises there is an emergency. The Tánaiste's response is that the Government actively prepares for a variety of scenarios. I can tell the Tánaiste what scenario is unfolding in homes the length and breadth of this State this evening. It is husbands, wives and partners sitting down and talking about how they ar…

158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the direction to local authorities will issue to allow victims and survivors of domestic abuse to move from one local authority list to another and retain their years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17577/26]

The Minister will be aware that last month, as I have done many times before, I raised the issue of victims and survivors of domestic abuse being able to carry time they have accrued on waiting lists from one local authority to another, primarily where that is necessary for their own safety and that of their children. The Tánaiste confirmed that the Minister would be issuing a direction to rectify…